Stretchable organic optoelectronic sensorimotor synapse

Sci Adv. 2018 Nov 23;4(11):eaat7387. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aat7387. eCollection 2018 Nov.

Abstract

Emulation of human sensory and motor functions becomes a core technology in bioinspired electronics for next-generation electronic prosthetics and neurologically inspired robotics. An electronic synapse functionalized with an artificial sensory receptor and an artificial motor unit can be a fundamental element of bioinspired soft electronics. Here, we report an organic optoelectronic sensorimotor synapse that uses an organic optoelectronic synapse and a neuromuscular system based on a stretchable organic nanowire synaptic transistor (s-ONWST). The voltage pulses of a self-powered photodetector triggered by optical signals drive the s-ONWST, and resultant informative synaptic outputs are used not only for optical wireless communication of human-machine interfaces but also for light-interactive actuation of an artificial muscle actuator in the same way that a biological muscle fiber contracts. Our organic optoelectronic sensorimotor synapse suggests a promising strategy toward developing bioinspired soft electronics, neurologically inspired robotics, and electronic prostheses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electronics
  • Humans
  • Models, Neurological
  • Nanowires / chemistry*
  • Neuromuscular Junction / physiology*
  • Neuromuscular Monitoring / instrumentation*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Synapses / physiology*
  • Transistors, Electronic*
  • Wearable Electronic Devices*

Substances

  • Polymers